I'd like to get a spare powder measure to use on my Hornady Lock-N-Load progressive press. The measure that comes with it works well and it's case-activated, but getting another one from Hornady would set me back about $100.

So now I'm looking at the Lee powder measures, about which I've heard some positive comments in the past. I have some questions about them:

1) Will the Auto-Disk measures work on presses other than Lee's?

2) Will they work reliably by case activation or do they need the "linkage" to the ram?

3) Do I have to use Lee's powder-through expander dies or can I use any brand?

4) Which is better: the Deluxe Auto-Disk or the Pro Auto-Disk?

I intend to load charges of 3.5-6.5 grains of ball or flake powders and I won't be changing the charge often, so the disk system shouldn't be a problem.

Used a Lee Powder measurer for almost a year. The only positive comment I can make about them is they work. They do not dispense very evenly and they hate fine ball powder. It jams the entire mechanism. Spend the extra $50 and get a better dispenser.

Matt; By all means get the the Lee measure.They will work on anybodys'press.They are spring loaded and work off of the case mouth.You will,however, have to use the Lee dies, but I think you will be more than pleased with them. The Pro setup is the better way to go as the hopper has a "wiper" on the bottom that catches any stray flakes of powder and prevents "cutting". It also has a cutoff feature so you can remove just the hopper without removing the whole thing.And they're a WHOLE lot cheaper than other brands.

I've just gotta say. The only thing LEE makes that I can't stand using is the auto disk powder measure. All the other products they have are very well built and function great for the little amount of money I spent on them. Those little satanic powder measures bind up with all the powders I use. Lately I have had to hit the darn thing on the top every time to reset it and I had to stop loading this evening and will be tearing it apart tomorrow to see if I can unbind it again. I think I'm going to switch to some other system altogether. If you get one good luck and enjoy all the new four letter words you'll have to learn.

Sorting through the advice here would be easier if it were more specific. When Person A says "Lee measures are useless" and Person B says "Lee measures are great", they could both be right if A is talking about the Auto-Disk and B is talking about the Pro Auto-Disk.

Another vote in favor of the Lee powder measures. The Pro Auto disk with an adjustable charge bar is what I use and it is always within .1 gr.
One thing I did to improve its performance with larger flake powders (ie: settle down to consistent charges quicker) is to put a little homemade baffle into the hopper and try to keep the hopper filled above half.
Someone said that the Lee powder measures don't work well with fine ball powders. I find the case to be the exact opposite. My Pro Auto disk dispenses fine ball powders with EXTREMELY consistent and accurate charges.
They will work on other presses via case activation, but will require the powder thru expander die from Lee.
I definately recommend getting an adjustable charge bar... very repeatable and accurate and no disk changing. (and only about $6)
Also recommend the Pro version over the Deluxe version due to the little rubber wiper and the shut-off valve.

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